View from the Zoo: Baby boom in Lost Kingdom

A young female zebra born at the end of April with other zebras in the Lost Kingdom enclosure at Flamingo Land Resort.

James Coleman

Published:18:30Sunday 28 May 2017

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Within the Lost Kingdom section of Flamingo Land there has been a boom of new arrivals both big and small.

This section consists of a variety of different enclosures some of which have mixed species together. There is a stand-alone pride of nine lions which can regularly be seen out lounging around and sunbathing. You may have noticed a new giraffe calf called Sophie who is doing very well and has now been joined by a new male. Mylene gave birth to him on 1 May and no doubt one day he’ll grow to be as tall as his huge and proud father George. He has already been introduced to his neighbours our two Addax, Jackson and Miller. They are a critically endangered species of antelope which large spiral horns.

Next to the giraffes if you have visited us in the past few years you may notice the white rhinos are a little smaller, this is because we recently received two new young males which we will be looking after for a few years.

The Lost Kingdom is a halfway house for rhinos as they turn seven to nine years old they can move on to another zoo and be with females as they’ve reached maturity as well as built up their strength. Bruce who is slightly larger arrived from Blaire Drummond zoo in Scotland whilst Mabasso came from Colchester – both aged 2.

Opposite the new rhinos is a mixed paddock of sstriches, zebras and more giraffes. Xena one of the female zebras has moved to Lake District Wildlife Park while Guinness and Vendela now have a new daughter born on 25 of April.

When zebras are born they have very long legs for their body size and are able to walk and run within minutes. Having extra long legs helps them blend in with the adults. Zebras are herd animals, highly social and dependent on the camouflaging effect of a mass of striped bodies for survival. It is very difficult for a predator to spot an individual among the black and white confusion. They also co-exist very well with our ostriches who have currently laid two nests of eggs within the paddock. Both the male and three females will take turns sitting on top them.

It is always sad to say farewell to some of the animals we have cared for but they are all part of an international breeding program so it is vital to increase the numbers of endangered species.

For up close and unforgettable views of our new additions to our park they can be seen on our Lost River Ride which is a gentle riverboat safari with a 60ft log flume finale.